Developing Bible Lessons to Reach Hindu Youth
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1999 Developing Bible Lessons to Reach Hindu Youth Roy Jemison Injety Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Injety, Roy Jemison, "Developing Bible Lessons to Reach Hindu Youth" (1999). Dissertation Projects DMin. 670. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/670 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT DEVELOPING BIBLE LESSONS TO REACH HINDU YOUTH by Roy Jemison Injety Adviser: Nancy Vyhmeister ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: DEVELOPING BIBLE LESSONS TO REACH HINDU YOUTH Name of researcher: Roy Jemison Injety Name and degree of faculty adviser: Nancy Vyhmeister, Ed.D. Date completed: August 1999 Problem The large number of non-Adventist youth who attend Seventh-day Adventist schools have a limited exposure to biblical teachings and, therefore, are unable to make a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Method Bible study lessons were developed to provide youth with a more complete understanding of the Bible and lead them to take a decision for Christ. The lessons address issues relating to youth needs and topics that are common to the Hindu and Christian faiths. A survey questionnaire provided information about the needs, moral development, and Bible knowledge of the target group. A variety of teaching methods was used to present the Bible lessons. The evaluation survey revealed the opinions of the students about the implementation of the strategy and also furnished information that helped arrive at the conclusion and proposed recommendations. Result The survey questionnaire revealed that the target group was interested in religious teaching and recognized the role of religion in their development. The youth felt that their family had the greatest influence on them and they regarded family unity of utmost priority. The evaluation survey revealed that the implementation of the strategy had positive results. The youth expressed satisfaction concerning the methods of teaching and wanted to continue the lessons. Some of the young people were contemplating baptism. Conclusions The following conclusions emerged from the study. 1. Adventist education can realize its goal if its role is refocused. 2. Youth can be led to make a decision for Christ if their exposure to biblical teachings is supplemented by Bible lessons outside the regular Bible classes. 3. While teaching youth, a variety of methods should be used, particularly those which allow participation. 4. Teaching religion to a mixed religious group enables youth to be open, tolerant, and respectful to other faiths. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary DEVELOPING BIBLE LESSONS TO REACH HINDU YOUTH A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Roy Jemison Injety August 1999 DEVELOPING BIBLE LESSONS TO REACH HINDU YOUTH A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Roy Jemison Injety APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: ([Ucc»M Adviser, 7 <7 Director of D.Min. Program Nancy J. Vyhmeister Ricardo Norton d_____ Prenta Gaikwad Dean JS B A Jheoffigi cal Seminary Werner Vyhmeister Date approved T ° My Parents Pastor I James and Mrs. Juliamma James My Children Ranjit Jonas and Ronald Jason My Wife Magdalene Fernando 111 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ....................................... vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................... 1 Background..................................... 1 Problem ....................................... 1 Purpose ....................................... 2 Justification ................................. 2 Methodology ................................... 3 Overview of the Dissertation .................. 4 2. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ............................... 6 Christian Religious Education ................. 7 Overview ................................... 7 Research on Religious Education ............ 13 Models of Religious Education .............. 17 Moral Education ......................... 17 Comparative-Religion Approach ........... 19 Models Usable in India .................. 20 Seventh-day Adventist Bible Teaching .......... 22 Aims and Objectives ........................ 23 The Role of Teachers ....................... 25 Teaching Methods .............................. 27 The Teaching-Learning Experience ........... 27 Innovative Teaching Methods ................ 30 Lectures......... 31 Seminars ................................ 32 Dramatization ........................... 33 Buzz Groups ............................. 33 Reading Scripture ....................... 34 Role Play ............................... 34 Projects ................................ 35 Stories ................................. 35 Brainstorming ........................... 36 Panel Discussion ........................ 37 Lesson Structure ........................... 37 Hook .................................... 38 Book .................................... 38 Look .................................... 38 Took .................................... 39 IV Summary 40 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE TARGET GROUP ................... 42 Characteristics and Needs of Adolescents ...... 43 Characteristics of Adolescents ............. 43 Physical ................................ 44 Mental .................................. 44 Emotional ............................... 45 Psycho-social .............. 46 Spiritual ............................... 47 Youth Needs ................................ 48 Association ............................. 48 Security ................................ 49 Love .................................... 50 Status .................................. 51 Meaning ................................. 51 Identity ................................ 51 Idealization ............................ 52 Achievement ............................. 52 Power ................................... 53 Special Indian Emphasis .................... 53 Family Influence ........................ 54 Economic Condition ...................... 55 Description of Target Group ................... 57 Religiosity ................................ 58 Youth Concerns ............................. 58 Youth Needs ................................ 59 Moral Development .......................... 60 Bible Knowledge ............................ 61 Summary ....................................... 61 4. SURVEY OF MISSION METHODS IN INDIA ................ 63 Christian Missions in India ................... 63 Mission Methods ............................ 68 Preaching ............................... 69 Bible Translation and Publication ....... 69 Adaptation .............................. 71 Ashram .................................. 71 Dialogue ................................ 73 Christian Education ..................... 77 Summary ....................................... 78 5. IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE STRATEGY ..... 80 Development ................................... 80 Selection of the Target Group .............. 81 Teaching Methods ........................... 82 Survey ..................................... 82 Developing Bible Lessons ................... 84 v Implementation ................................ 85 Evaluation of the Strategy .................... 86 Discussion of the Response ................. 86 Summary ....................................... 87 6. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............. 89 Summary ....................................... 89 Conclusions ................................... 91 Recommendations ............................... 92 Appendix A. MORAL DEVELOPMENT LEVEL AND NEEDS OF YOUTH .... 94 B. SUMMARY OF THE RESPONSES ....... 98 C. EVALUATION OF THE BIBLE STUDY LESSONS ........ 101 D. SUMMARY OF THE EVALUATION SURVEY ............ 103 E. BIBLE LESSONS ................................ 105 BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................... 127 VITA ................................................... 138 vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As I stand at the completion of the Doctor of Ministry- program and the dissertation, I recognize the leading hand of God and the constant support and prayers of my teachers, colleagues, friends, and family members. It was the call of God for ministry and the privilege to prepare young people for ministry that prompted me to take up the Doctor of Ministry program. I thank the administration of the Southern Asia Division and Spicer College for recognizing the need for this program and Andrews University for conducting this program at Spicer. I would like to record the efforts of Dr. Bruce Bauer and Dr. Gordon Christo who initiated this program and worked for its success. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the teachers who came from Andrews University for their interest and commitment to this program. My heartfelt thanks to the adviser of my dissertation committee, Dr. Nancy Vyhmeister, and other members, Dr. Prema Gaikwad, Dr. Bruce Bauer, and Dr. Jon Dybdahl, for their genuine interest in my study and the direction they gave